Breeding biology of Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri in Zimbabwe: impacts of human activities

Abstract

This paper summarizes current knowledge and outlines future work on the breeding biology of Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri in Zimbabwe. All available records since 1900 were analysed, including casual reports by members of BirdLife Zimbabwe and published records. Estimates were made for the start and end of the breeding season, group sizes, clutch size and productivity levels, together with an assessment of preferred habitats and nest-tree species. There is a need for intensive fieldwork to determine aspects of breeding biology such as incubation and nestling periods. Particularly important for sound management and conservation strategies is relative breeding success in different land-tenure systems. The author has started work in a communal area 40 km south of Bulawayo city; land-use systems such as new resettlement areas, commercial farms and protected areas remain to be studied.